A NIOSH health-hazard evaluation at a sheet-glass plant measured respirable dust and crystalline silica in the silo tower area and found potential for worker overexposure if respiratory protection was absent or improperly used.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: HETA 97-0265-2781 — AFG Industries glass-manufacturing dust evaluation ↗Dust entry
Glass-manufacturing silo dust
Respirable dust generated around raw-material silos and hot-end operations in sheet-glass manufacturing, including crystalline silica-containing particulate.
Airborne form
dust
The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.
Health effects
respiratory irritationnosebleedsrespirable crystalline-silica exposuresilicosis concernupper and lower respiratory symptoms
Evidence
The NIOSH evaluation at a sheet-glass plant recorded respirable dust samples of 0.31–4.86 mg/m3 and personal crystalline-silica concentrations of 0.09–0.35 mg/m3 in the silo tower area; the evaluated workers used respirators under company policy.
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Abstract · 1
Abstract · 1
The respirable dust samples ranged from 0.31 mg/m^3 to 4.86 mg/m^3. The personal crystalline silica concentrations ranged from 0.09 mg/m^3 to 0.35 mg/m^3. The workers assigned to the silo tower used respiratory protection by company policy.
Controls
- enclosed raw-material handling
- local exhaust ventilation
- silo containment
- respiratory protection program
- exposure monitoring
- housekeeping